Flow control means

ABSTRACT

A flow control means for stable, constant discharge flow from and to a body of liquid, having a float body ( 8 ) which floats on a body of liquid ( 9 ), with a main outlet pipe ( 5 ) having a mouth/upper end ( 4 ) above the upper surface ( 6 ) of the body of liquid ( 9 ), and into which there is passed, from the body of liquid, one or more feed outlet pipes/gates ( 2 ) which open into the main outlet pipe ( 5 ) at a desired distance below the upper surface ( 6 ) of the body of liquid ( 9 ).

The present invention is directed towards a float-supported flow controlliquid outlet means from and to a body of liquid, and more precisely aliquid outlet fashioned to ensure steady and uninterrupted flow from abody of liquid to subsequent downstream storage or treatment steps.

The invention will be described below with particular reference tooutflow from bodies of liquid, and is in fact used specifically forensuring a steady, uninterrupted outflow from large water-containingcontainers, vessels or tanks where it is desirable to have a steadyoutflow uninterrupted by impact loads in the reservoir.

Of known technology in the field, broad reference will be made to thefollowing publications:

1) DE 3 914 702-A1 which describes a device for controlling the outflowfrom a container containing liquid.

A float is coupled via a suitable mechanism to a mechanical elementwhich in turn, with the aid of a suitable sliding valve, controls theopening of the gates where the fluid flows out;

2) DE 4 436 230-A1 which describes a device for controlling constantliquid flow from a liquid container, and where the opening in the outletgate is adjusted by means of the liquid level via a spring-loaded platein the bottom of the container.

When the liquid level in the vessel rises, pressure is exerted on theplate which in turn reduces an outlet opening; and

3) GB 1 131 746 which also describes a device for control of a liquidflow from a a container or reservoir.

In this case, an outlet opening is placed at a certain level in thereservoir so that liquid can flow down and out from the reservoir. Aninverted bell or cup is positioned over and around the outlet openingand by adjusting the air pressure in this bell or cup, the liquid levelin the area around the outlet opening is in turn adjusted. This permitscontrol of the liquid outflow from the reservoir.

None of these documents describe an outlet device which ensures steadyand uninterrupted flow from the body of liquid, in which the outletmeans is placed, to the subsequent storage or treatments steps.

A steady and uninterrupted flow is of particular importance where theoutflow amount and intake amount are to be set at a certain level, forexample, in connection with chemical processes, or where differentsubstances are to be mixed into the liquid for various future purposes.

One of the objects of the present invention is to improve the prior artand accordingly it relates to a flow control means for stable andconstant discharge flow from and to a body of liquid. The invention ischaracterised in that the outlet comprises a float body which floats ona body of liquid, with a main outlet pipe having a mouth/upper end abovethe upper surface of the body of liquid, and into which there is passed,from the is body of liquid, one or more feed outlet pipes/gates whichopen into the main outlet pipe at a desired distance below the uppersurface of the body of liquid.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an outflow according to the invention with the float bodyand main and feed outlet pipes;

FIG. 2 shows a section through the device in FIG. 1 along a lineindicated by the oppositely directed arrows II—II.

FIG. 1 shows a float body 8, in the illustrated embodiment made of alife buoy-like means, where in the centre of the central opening thereis secured a main outlet pipe 5.

The mouth 4 of the pipe 5 is located above the upper surface 6 of thebody of liquid 9 and is secured by means of suitable stays 10.

Feed outlet pipe 2 is passed into the main outlet pipe 5 from the bodyof liquid 9.

These pipes are arranged so that their outlet opening 11 is locatedbelow the upper surface 6 of the body of liquid 9 and so that they opencentrally into the pipe 5.

Only one pipe 2 is shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, but itwill be evident that there may be provided a plurality of such pipes atdifferent levels in the main outlet pipe 5, which permits liquids to becollected from different locations in the body of liquid 9 for outflowthrough the same main outlet pipe 5.

The feed outlet pipes 2 may be equipped with suitable outlet valves 16for control of the flow.

To ensure steady outflow through the pipe 5 without any suction effectbeing generated which may disturb the flow, the pipe 5 is open towardsthe surrounding atmosphere at a good distance above the upper surface 6of the body of liquid 9. This ensures free influx of air, or if sodesired, of another gas, at atmospheric pressure from the mouth area 3,through the mouth 4, and this mouth may also be used for introducingdesired substances that are to be mixed with the outflow through thepipe 5.

The feed outlet pipes 2 empty into the main outlet pipe 5 through a feedoutlet 11. Only one feed outlet 11 is shown in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, but it will be evident that there may be provideda plurality of feed outlets 11 if a plurality of feed outlet pipes 2 areprovided. From the feed outlet 11, liquid flows through the main outletpipe 5 to the main outlet 7.

In the illustrated embodiment the opening 1 of the feed outlet pipe 2 isdisposed within a protective netting 12 to prevent unwanted dust andcontaminants from being included in the outflow.

In the case of long pipes 2, when it is desirable to collect samplesfrom more distant locations in the body of liquid 9, it will be clearthat identical means can be provided around their inlet openings 1.

The feed outlet pipe 2 is connected to the main outlet pipe 5 in such away that the feed outlet 11 is a first distance 13 below the uppersurface 6 of the body of liquid 9. Furthermore, the feed outlet pipe 2extends away from the main outlet pipe 5, such that the opening 1 of thefeed outlet pipe 2 is positioned a second distance 14 below the uppersurface 6 of the body of liquid 9 and a third distance 15 away from themain outlet pipe 5. It will be evident that if a plurality of feedoutlet pipes 2 are provided, there may be a plurality of first, second,and third distances 13,14, and 15.

The device according to the invention ensures steady and uninterruptedflow through the outflow, inasmuch as the amount can be set at a desiredlevel by appropriate control of the feed outlet pipes 2, unaffected bynatural or other impact loads on the body of liquid 9.

This ensures a far more stable operation of downstream storage orprocessing steps, whereby a considerably more stable quality may also beensured.

The guaranteed, stable outflow through the pipe 5 also permits stable,economical proportioning of chemicals or other substances through themouth 4 of the pipe 5, should this be desirable.

The main outlet pipe 5 is supported by at least one support 10. Thesupport 10 is connected to at least one float body 8 that is adapted tofloat on the body of liquid 9.

The device of the invention is inexpensive, simple to produce and easyto maintain as it does not contain any moveable parts other thanoptional control valves for the feed outlet pipes 2, should such valvesbe desirable.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flow control for stable,constant discharge flowfrom a body of liquid, comprising a main outlet pipe supported by afloat body which floats on a body of liquid, wherein the main outletpipe has a mouth disposed above an upper surface of the body of liquid,and at least one feed outlet pipe that opens into the main outlet pipebelow the upper surface of the body of liquid, the at least one feedoutlet pipe extending away from the main outlet pipe.
 2. The flowcontrol means of claim 1, wherein the at least one feed outlet pipeopens into the main outlet pipe at a first distance below the uppersurface of the body of liquid; the at least one feed outlet pipe opensinto body of liquid a second distance below the surface of the body ofliquid; and the at least one feed outlet pipe opens into the body ofliquid a third distance away from the main outlet pipe.
 3. The flowcontrol means of claim 1, wherein an opening of the at least one feedpipe into the body of liquid is covered with a protective netting. 4.The flow control means of claim 1, wherein the at least one feed outletpipe is equipped with a valve for controlling fluid flow there through.5. The flow control means of claim 1, wherein the at least one feedoutlet pipe opens centrally into the main outlet pipe.
 6. A flow controlmeans for stable, constant discharge flow from a body of liquid,comprising a main outlet pipe support by a float body which floats on abody of liquid, wherein the main outlet pipe has a mouth disposed abovean upper surface of the body liquid, and at least one feed outlet pipethat opens into the main outlet pipe below the upper surface of the bodyof liquid, and the at least one feed outlet pipe opens centrally intothe main outlet pipe.